Negotiation Works provides educational and community-building negotiation programs for individuals from marginalized communities, equipping them with skills, confidence, and self-advocacy tools to navigate life’s challenges and conflicts, build resilience, and maintain forward momentum. 

We look beyond formal negotiations that take place in boardrooms with people wearing business suits. When we talk about “negotiation”, we mean self-advocacy skills to navigate everyday situations, tools to resolve conflicts effectively, and techniques to develop creative solutions, all of which empower our class participants to work toward the outcomes they want and need and build the confidence to handle whatever comes their way.

Tailored to marginalized community members who are working to establish a new direction for their lives, our courses take into account the racism and unequal footing that too many of our participants and their communities have endured for generations. Rather than starting difficult conversations from a perceived position of weakness—which often can lead to ‘flight-or-fight' responses—our participants learn to listen, assert, and make the case for what they need to continue to live productive and fulfilling lives.

Our courses deliver skills and strategies to participants so they can capably and comfortably handle a wide array of everyday challenges with employers, landlords, colleagues, family, teachers, businesses, and more. The goal of each lesson and each course is to provide the tools for our participants to become strong communicators and self-advocates for themselves and their families.

Role-playing, group activities, and discussions enable our participants to learn and practice skills over multiple weeks. Programs range from four to eight weeks depending on the preferences and structure of our community partners.

The trauma-informed lessons provide detailed guidance on handling conflict productively, including recognizing barriers that can prevent people from negotiating effectively; applying strategies such as preparation, perspective-taking, and considering options; and strengthening skills such as active listening and clear communication. Our trained volunteer teachers bring knowledge, compassion, enthusiasm, and creativity to the classroom, and we customize the courses to meets the needs and challenges of each participant group.

At the end of the course, participants receive a Certificate of Completion, a set of strategies they have created with their classmates, and reference materials to keep. In addition, many participants join our Ambassadors program for alumni to stay connected, continue their learning, and engage in workforce and leadership opportunities.

We deliver the courses through community organization partners, modifying each course to ensure that the program content meets the needs of each organization’s clients and equips the participants with skills to better self-advocate and navigate challenges they face on a daily basis.

Our fees cover the costs of the course and ongoing development of the program and are based on the length of the course, number of participants served, and frequency with which the program is repeated within a calendar year.

Regular monitoring and data analysis are key to ensuring our courses target our participants’ needs and deliver actionable strategies for their use. In-course surveying ensures we’re on target during the sessions and identifies areas for review and discussion. After-the-course surveys help us track impact over time.

Along with the signature course, Negotiation Works offers:

• Ambassador Program that unites course alumni to share lessons learned and new tips and to engage in formal refresher courses

• Professional development programs on negotiation skills for nonprofit staff

• Train-the-trainer courses for partner organizations

• Standalone workshops on negotiation strategies

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